Projects

Wörter & Phrasen

A+N-compounds and idiomatic A+N-phrases in Dutch and German (DFG project) - [2007-2012]

Being closely related languages, German and Dutch widely share the same processes with regard to word formation. Although compounding is, in principle, possible both in Dutch and German, plenty of German compounds correspond to complex phrases in Dutch marked by lexicalisation and idiomatication. Above all, this is the case with A+N-compounds, see Dünndarm – dunne darm 'small intestine', Dunkelkammer – donkere kamer 'darkroom', Festplatte – harde schijf 'hard disk'. Nevertheless, German also has a lot of such idiomatic phrases, see kalter Kaffee, wilde Ehe und rotes Tuch. The project seeks to analyse those A+N-combinations in multiple ways: Is there empirical evidence for a presupposed difference in use concerning compounds and phrases? Which function do A+N-compounds have in contrast to A+N-phrases, within one language as well as cross-linguistically? How can one explain why compounding in Dutch is so much more restricted in comparison to German? Is this an intermediate stage of language change finally leading towards the unproductivity of A+N-compounding in Dutch? Do A+N-phrases prove that there is no rigid limit between syntax and the lexicon? Then, which consequences can be drawn for grammar theory?